Ellie Quinto

I’m an 18 year old student who has never lived in New England, but my journey starts 25 years ago in western Massachusetts where my dad enlisted in the Marines. Since I was born, my life has consisted of adventures. Eight adventures to be exact, which is the number of times I have moved. Many kids can’t tell you what it is exactly that their father does when he goes to work, and despite the magnitude with which his career has affected me, I too am one of these kids. My father’s job has controlled nearly every aspect of my life while shaping me into the person I am today, and for that I am grateful. I have had endless opportunities of traveling, having friends around the world, experiencing life, being forced out of my introverted comfort zone, and learning to welcome change. From the high life of Northern Virginia to southern small towns, from west coast sunsets to kindergarten in Japan and everything in between, moving has taught me an infinite amount of lifelong lessons. But most importantly, it has shielded me from ignorance. I have learned to love travel even with all of its faults, because it’s taught me that familiarity should never be mistaken for happiness.